2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 45 - Towns and cities
CHAPTER 45-22.2 - Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act
§ 45-22.2-6 - Required elements of comprehensive plan.

SECTION 45-22.2-6

   § 45-22.2-6  Required elements of comprehensive plan. – The comprehensive plan is a statement (in text, maps, illustrations, or other media of communication) that is designed to provide a basis for rational decision making regarding the long term physical development of the municipality. The definition of goals and policies relative to the distribution of future land uses, both public and private, forms the basis for land use decisions to guide the overall physical, economic, and social development of the municipality. The comprehensive plan must be internally consistent in its policies, forecasts, and standards, and include the following elements:

   (1) Goals and policies statement. Identifies the goals and policies of the municipality for its future growth and development. The statement enumerates how the plan is consistent with the overall goals and policies of this chapter, the state guide plan, and related elements.

   (2) Land use plan element. Designates the proposed general distribution and general location and interrelationship of land use for residential, commercial, industry, open space, recreation facilities, and other categories of public and private uses of land. The land use element is based upon the other elements contained in this section, and it relates the proposed standards of population density and building intensity to the capacity of the land and available or planned facilities and services. A land use plan map, illustrating the future strategy and land use policy of the municipality, as defined by the comprehensive plan, is required. The land use plan must contain an analysis of the inconsistency of existing zoning districts, if any, with the land use plan. The land use plan should specify the process by which the zoning ordinance and zoning map shall be amended to conform to the comprehensive plan.

   (3) Housing element. Consists of identification and analysis of existing and forecasted housing needs and objectives including programs for the preservation, including, but not limited to, the preservation of federally insured or assisted housing, improvement, and development of housing for all citizens. The housing element enumerates local policies and implementation techniques to promote the production and rehabilitation of housing that achieves a balance of housing choices, recognizing local, regional, and statewide needs for all income levels and for all age groups, including, but not limited to, the affordability of housing and the preservation of federally insured or assisted housing. The element identifies specific programs and policies for inclusion in the implementation program necessary to accomplish this purpose and takes into account growth management and the need to phase and pace development in areas of rapid growth. The housing element includes an affordable housing plan that identifies housing needs in the community, including, but not limited to, the needs for low and moderate income housing, establishes goals and policies to address those needs, consistent with available resources and the need to protect public health, including drinking water supplies and safety and environmental quality. The affordable housing plan includes an implementation program of actions to be taken to effectuate the policies and goals of the affordable housing plan.

   (4) Economic development element. Includes the identification of economic development policies and strategies, either existing or proposed by the municipality, in coordination with the land use plan element. These policies should reflect local, regional, and statewide concerns for the expansion and stabilization of the economic base and the promotion of quality employment opportunities and job growth. The policies and implementation techniques must be identified for inclusion in the implementation program element.

   (5) Natural and cultural resources element. Provides an inventory of the significant natural resource areas as water, soils, prime agricultural lands, natural vegetation systems, wildlife, watersheds, wetlands, aquifers, coastal features, flood plains, and other natural resources, and the policies for the protection and management of these areas. The element includes policies for the protection of the historic and cultural resources of the municipality and the state. The policies and implementation techniques must be identified for inclusion in the implementation program element.

   (6) Services and facilities element. Provides an inventory of existing and forecasted needs for facilities and services used by the public as, but not limited to, educational facilities, public safety, water, sanitary sewers, libraries, and community facilities. The policies and implementation techniques must be identified for inclusion in the implementation program element.

   (7) Open space and recreation element. Includes an inventory of recreational resources, open space areas, and recorded access to these resources and areas. The element must also contain an analysis of forecasted needs and policies for the management and protection of these resources and areas. The policies and implementation techniques must be identified for inclusion in the implementation program element.

   (8) Circulation element. Consists of the inventory and analysis of existing and proposed major circulation systems, street patterns, and any other modes of transportation in coordination with the land use element. The policies and implementation techniques must be identified for inclusion in the implementation program element.

   (i) A statement which defines and schedules for a period of five (5) years or more the specific public actions to be undertaken in order to achieve the goals and objectives of each element of the comprehensive plan. Scheduled expansion or replacement of public facilities, and the anticipated costs and revenue sources proposed to meet those costs reflected in a municipality's capital improvement program, must be included in the implementation program.

   (ii) The implementation program identifies the public actions necessary to implement the objectives and standards of each element of the comprehensive plan that require the adoption or amendment of codes and ordinances by the governing body of the municipality.

   (iii) The implementation program identifies other public authorities or agencies owning water supply facilities or providing water supply services to the municipality, and coordinates the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan with the actions of public authorities or agencies with regard to the protection of watersheds as provided in § 46-15.3-1, et seq.

   (iv) The implementation program must detail the timing and schedule of municipal actions required to amend the zoning ordinance and map to conform to the comprehensive plan.